THE VOICE | THURSDAY, FEB. 7, 2019 | EDITOR TAESA HODEL Viewpoints In the free tampon movement, leaving our transgender brothers behind only builds more barriers for them. 74&S4 HODEL ILLUSTRATION Trans need tampons, too roviding menstrual hygiene products in men’s wash- rooms should be just as normal in women’s wash- rooms. Talk around free tampons and pads being provided in women’s washrooms has attracted a large number of supporters, but there is little to no talk around the products being available in men’s washrooms. Although gender-neutral wash- rooms are brought up with this topic, it doesn’t change the fact that menstrual hygiene still isn’t available regardless of the sign on the door. CHELSEA Having menstrual products readily avail- able shouldn’t be categorized by gender. It should be acces- sible to anyone who needs them, and this includes transgender and non-binary indi- viduals. Normaliz- ing transgender males who have periods would help these men live wy) OPINION LIU their authentic selves, not bound to an outer identity, which is the purpose of transitioning in the first place. Because I am not a transgender man, I reached out to some. Most transgender men I interviewed were sick and tired of always being asked about their personal biology. No one would ask a cisgender person that. When constantly asked about what it means or how it feels to tran- sition, it undermines their authen- ticity, and continues to remind them that they will never just be male. Having tampons and pads in both men’s and women’s washrooms is an effective way to normalize periods for all genders. It takes the taboo out of peri- ods. It takes the joke out of peri- ods. Having a period isn’t something that a person should feel the need to hide, and asking for a tampon or pad shouldn't be an embarrassing act. Provided menstrual hygiene products are something we should see more commonly, and should be something we see without an extra thought to whose they are. Sports injuries go untreated - mentally 4 “he mental response to a sports injury can be deeply debilitating, and without the right support, an athlete may never be the same, either on or off the field. Last spring, I tore my anterior cruciate ligament while skiing. I can still hear the snapping of my knee as it dislocated, and can still feel the sobs ripping from my chest into the freezing hillside. It took me months to rehabili- this ski season pass by without me, and had to watch my passion slip through my fingers. I can only imagine how this loss manifests in competitive or training athletes. Any injury like that will have emotional backlash. Being unable to care for yourself is degrading. But I think sports injuries carry a more profound sense of loss. A sports injury is a betrayal of your and for me, depression. It's a vicious cycle. When your days pass without mean- ing, and your life loses a sense of purpose, it's hard to care about doing squats and stretching. It's hard for OPINION You can see a physiotherapist to help you physically, but there's no resources for the mind, especially for students and non-professionals. I was lucky to have people in my life who supported me through one of my darkest times. I had to completely re-evaluate my life to get better, because it would never be the same. Career athletes may not have other passions to follow like I did. What Life is tough for all Te to determine whether or not men or women have it worse is fairly regressive when instead we should be look- ing for actual solutions to these obstacles. Langara’s philosophy depart- ment hosted a debate for their Philosophers’ Jam last Thursday asking whether men or women found it more difficult trying to pursue happiness in our society. The purpose of the debate is meant to teach students to look at other perspectives, but really it just reinforces the ancient men versus women contest. Men can experience male toxicity, this damaging need to abide by stereotypi- cal gender roles that tend to OPINION inhibit showing _ certain kinds of MISSY emotions. It's a regretta- JOHNSON ble side effect of our culture, but women still face more challenges when it comes to finding fulfillment. Women still experience pay inequity, and even more horrify- ing, violence. Violence against women is trau- matic and sometimes fatal. The Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability released a report last week stating a woman is killed in Canada every 2 1/2 days. But instead of asking who has it worse, it’s better to ask how we can make society better for women, men and the genderqueer commu- nity. To ask these questions, we must look at and understand the “Tt's better to ask how we can make society better for women, men andthe genderqueer" adversities we all face. It’s impor- tant to acknowledge that educa- tion is needed. Gender studies should be taught in high school, or should make up a part of the required curriculum when attending college or univer- sity. Individuals have a hard time showing up to these conversa- tions when they don’t realize these conversations need to be had. This is probably why so few people usually show up to these discussions. I know this because before I understood what gender-based tate, and my knee still can't bear my body. Something you loved doing others to under- TAESA they need is support that is near | oppression looked like, I wouldn't weight properly. I’ve had to watch becomes associated with pain, fear, stand as well. HODEL impossible to find. have showed up either. 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